Recapping a Red Letter Day

Sam Hellman

06/30/2012

Wednesday June 27 was one of the biggest recruiting days in recent Rutgers history. Not only did the Scarlet Knights conclude their first camp under coach Kyle Flood, but they picked up three crucial verbal commitments in the process. ScarletReport.com is here to look back on the big day and explain exactly why each commitment is so critical.

Rutgers picked up three commitments at three key positions Wednesday in what was the biggest single recruiting day for the new staff.

Not only does the trio provide depth at key positions, but it allows the Scarlet Knights to hone in on the top overall prospects still on the board instead of worrying about addressing needs at certain spots.

Commitment — Nash committed to Rutgers in a dramatic way after the conclusion of his camp experience at Rutgers. Picking the Scarlet Knights over finalists West Virginia, Kentucky, Arizona and Virginia, Nash announced his decision in front of his team on the sidelines of High Point Solutions Stadium.

What to Like — Nash has the body to grow into an impressive outside linebacker, or possibly an "R" pass rusher. Nash has impressive athleticism and coverage skills as an outside linebacker and his challenge will be bulking up and getting used to the contact. When thinking Nash, think Jamal Merrell.

Deeper Impact — Nash is as vocal as they come and plans to be an ambassador for finishing the Class of 2013 strong. A member of the cult of strong personalities, Nash has many friends and teammates on the South Jersey radar.

Nash has six months to work on committed players and is also close with uncommitted Cedar Creek (N.J.) quarterback Damon Mitchell and 2014 Timber Creek receiver Adonis Jennings.

Commitment — Though Marini technically committed Tuesday night, the news did not become public until his head coach broke the news through ScarletReport.com early Wednesday morning.

Marini and his father were blown away by their unofficial visit last week and it took less than a week for him to pull the trigger.

What to Like — If Marini were two inches taller, he would likely have twice as many stars. Marini is a true dual-threat tight end with the ability to get open up the middle for passes and impressive blocking ability.

What to like more than anything, however, is the fact that Marini is a true tight end. He isn't an athlete being forced into a position of need or a wide receiver too slow to play the position. Marini is a tight end and Rutgers needs tight ends.

Marini

Deeper Meaning — The future of the tight end position cannot rest solely on the shoulders of Tyler Kroft. Marini was a top tight end target of the Scarlet Knights and can be a key player in a the Dave Brock offense. With the lack of depth and importance of the position at Rutgers, every tight end in the country should be giving the Scarlet Knights a look.

Commitment — Klecko hinted for weeks that a decision was nearing and Rutgers was in good position. Inspired by two verbals earlier in the day, Klecko made it a hat trick by informing the Rutgers staff of his intentions to play in Piscataway. Klecko picked Rutgers over Temple and Connecticut.

What to Like — If Klecko is anything like the rest of his family (and he showed at Red Bank Catholic that he can be), Rutgers has a future big-time defensive tackle.

His father Joe Klecko and brother Dan Klecko each made impacts in the NFL. His brother even beat up on Rutgers during a great Temple career. Klecko does not yet have the weight to play nose tackle, but will be big and strong enough when his time comes.

Klecko

Deeper Meaning — The Rutgers defensive line continues to build scary depth. Defensive tackle has not been the deepest position for Rutgers in recent years, but it will be when Klecko, Sebastian Joseph and Darius Hamilton all check in at the position.

It certainly won't hurt the program to have another former NFL star around campus either.